The World's Greatest Gambling Scams Season 1 Episode 9 Gizmos and Gadgets

The World's Greatest Gambling Scams is a docuseries that explores some of the most notorious scams in the history of gambling. In season 1 episode 9, entitled Gizmos and Gadgets, viewers are taken on a journey through the innovative and misleading ways that people have cheated at casinos.

The episode begins with a look at some of the earliest gambling scams, such as using loaded dice or marked cards. These methods may have worked in the past, but as casinos became more sophisticated, so too did the cheats. Enter the world of high-tech gadgets designed to give players an unfair advantage.

One of the most infamous examples is the use of hidden cameras. Some players have used miniature cameras to film the shuffling and dealing of cards, then relayed the information back to accomplices outside the casino who could use it to make bets with an unfair advantage. This method was famously used in a scheme called the Tran Organization, which managed to cheat casinos out of millions of dollars over several years.

Another gadget that has been used to cheat is the computer. In the 1970s and 80s, students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a system called card counting. This involved using a computer program to keep track of the cards that had been dealt and help players make more accurate bets. While not strictly illegal, card counting is frowned upon by casinos, who will often take measures to prevent it. However, some players have taken it a step further, using concealed computers in their shoes or cuffs to help them cheat.

The episode also takes a look at some of the more creative gadgets that have been used to cheat, including electronic devices that can influence the spin of a roulette wheel, or fake chips that can be used to cheat in games like poker. While some of these methods may seem impressive, it's worth remembering that they are illegal and those caught using them face serious consequences.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the minds of those who would go to such lengths to cheat at gambling. From the thrill of the chase to the greed that drives them, it's clear that these cheats are motivated by more than just money. The episode also explores the cat-and-mouse game played between casinos and cheats, with security measures constantly evolving to keep up with new gadgets and techniques.

Overall, Gizmos and Gadgets is an intriguing episode of The World's Greatest Gambling Scams that showcases some of the most innovative and daring cheating methods ever used in casinos. It's a fascinating look at the lengths that some people will go to in order to get ahead, and a reminder that the house always wins in the end.